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March 27, 2014

Diversity increases in new freshman class

With more than 43,000 applications for admission to the Class of 2018, the highest number of freshman applications in university history, Cornell’s prospective undergraduates are diverse and academically strong, while admissions have become more selective.

The university’s undergraduate admissions website went live at 5 p.m. March 27, the official mail date for the Ivy League, with the selection status of high school seniors who applied to enter Cornell.

The university received 43,041 applications for freshman admission in 2014, compared with 40,006 applicants last year, an increase of 7.6 percent and a 13.8 percent increase since 2012.

“Cornell’s reputation as a stimulating living-learning community unmatched in its breadth of opportunities continues to attract a highly talented and diverse applicant pool,” said Jason C. Locke, interim associate vice provost for enrollment. “With the university’s sesquicentennial on the horizon, our admitted students are living proof of Cornell’s longstanding commitment to ‘any person, any study.’”

The number of admitted students who self-identify within underrepresented minority populations increased to 1,543 – or 25.7 percent of the freshman class – from 1,512, or 24.9 percent, in 2013. As a group, students of color comprise more than 46 percent of the prospective Class of 2018, and Asian Americans represent more than 20 percent of the admitted class.

The admitted students are 52.7 percent female and reside in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; and in 78 countries outside the United States.

The overall admit rate (both early decision and regular decision candidates selected for admission) is 14 percent, lower and more selective than the 15.2 percent selected in 2013 and the 16.2 percent selected in 2012.

Cornell admitted a total of 6,014 applicants, compared with 6,062 in 2013. The university offered 3,133 students a place on the waitlist, compared with 3,142 waitlisted last year.

Admitted students have until May 1 to decide whether to accept Cornell’s offer of admission. To encourage students to choose Cornell, members of the worldwide Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network will be hosting events and speaking with students about the university and how they can benefit from becoming a Cornellian.

Admitted students will be visiting Ithaca during Cornell Days (on selected dates from April 11-21) and throughout the month of April, to tour the campus, attend classes, stay in residence halls, and discuss with faculty members and current students what Cornell has to offer.

“We will be engaging admitted students in person and virtually, to further convince them that indeed Cornell is a very special place,” said Shawn L. Felton, interim director of undergraduate admissions. “We look forward to working with the Cornell community to welcome these incredibly talented students to campus.”